The conference started with worship service in the ECC Chapel. The Service was conducted by Rev. Grace Jung Eun Moon(Executive Secretary) and the message was delivered by Rev. Dr. Cherian Thomas (Director of ECC). In the speech he pointed about the shift in ecumenism from the unity among the churches to the unity of all people and the integrity of creation. Rev. Dr. Reji Samuel made the introductory remarks.

20^th

The day started with eco- friendly worship. The emphasis was given on caring and the protection of our creation. In the inaugural ceremony was presided by Rev Dr. Cherian Thomas. Rev. Dr. Reji Samuel  officially welcomed and  Rev. Grace Moon introduced about the Institute on Ecumenism after which Bishop Duleep Chickera inaugurated the institute by lightening the lamp. Rt. Rev. Dr. Zacharias Mar TheophilusS uffragan Metropolitan of the Marthoma Church delivered the key note address on the theme. He emphasized that our God is not a God of retaliation but a God of reconciliation. God is always active and stands with the oppressed. So the church should not be neutral but to stand with the oppressed and marginalized in the struggle for justice and peace. Being neutral is equal to justice denied. To participate in the struggle we need to have a mutual understanding, a life to live by respecting all the traditions and maintaining relations. The CCA General Secretary, Rev. Dr. Henriette Hutabarat Lebangand NCCI representative Harrington Chungi gave greetings from their respective organizations followed by the Deputy Director of ECC Rev. J.R Paul Singh’s presentation on the formation, functions of ECC through a power point presentation.

Rev. Dr. D. Arthur Jayakumar presented a paper on the Indian contribution to the ecumenical movement. In the paper, he systematically analyzed the contributions of various Christian communities of India in fostering ecumenism. He mentioned the regional missionary conferences in various parts of India, union institutions, organic unions like CSI, CNI, conciliar union between CSI, CNI and Marthoma Churches etc are the paradigmatic moves in the Indian context to promote ecumenism.

In Fr. Sebastian Payappally’s paper entitled Ecumenical Journey of Churches in India: Vatican II and After Vatican II’ presents the shift that occurred in the Roman Catholic Church towards ecumenism after Vatican II. In his paper he pointed out that Roman Catholic church opened up for ecumenical dialogue for fostering the unity among the Christians, to admit non Christians to Catholic church, to share Non- sacramental Liturgical Worship and Services and share in Sacramental life.

21^st

In his first bible study Bishop Duleep Chikara emphasized on God’s mission in God’s broken world. He pointed that the church should give a pastoral presence to the helpless community, should have prophetic proclamation. To engage in this manner we need to have the selfless engagement for transformation. On the topic ‘Ecumenical Movement in Asia’ Dr. Ninan Koshy pointed out that it was a protest against the western missionary strategy and imperialism, formation of the CSI and the regional ecumenical movement in various parts of Asia the ecumenical movement as whole. He also warns the churches in Asia to be aware of the challenges of globalization and the empires.

The participants were divided in to five groups and discussed the topic ‘The emerging issues in our own context and the challenging issues in church’s mission today’. In the plenary session we identified the following socio economic realities in our own context such as caste and class system in the society and within the church, fundamentalism, unemployment, drug addiction, over population, corruption, Kudamkulam nuclear power plant issue, POSCO issue, farmer’s suicide, the gap between the rich and the poor in the society, ecological issues etc. We also identified the following issues in the church’s mission today such as- differences in theology and practices among the churches, dichotomy between the traditional and the contemporary practices, preaching gospel in a religious pluralistic country, lack of accommodation to the local cultures, lack of co-ordination between missionary organizations and the call for ecumenism in grass root level, the adverse impact of media, and emerging charismatic communities. In the second group discussion conducted on the signs of reconciling mission in Asian churches, participants brought out the ideas that the church should revitalize the indigenous signs and symbols, conventions, celebrate festivals together, conduct child enhancement programs, counseling to the youngsters, career counseling in the midst of changing job opportunities and the church fighting against the ecological issues together.

22^nd

The day began with the bible study of Bishop Duleep Chickera on the theme of God’s mission among people of other living religions. He emphasized that Christianity can’t ignore or ridicule other religions; God is at work in transforming the world through men and women of other faiths and show tolerance to other religions. Dr. P.S Jacob spoke on the topic of “Understanding people of other faiths”. In order to do so we need to get acquainted with people of other faiths, get familiar with their life, try to understand their belief and experience of other faiths. To conclude he pointed that one has to gain true awareness of one’s spiritual status in comparison to the people of other faiths. Dr. NinanKoshy in his second session on the topic “Religion and Politics” pointed the danger of religious fundamentalism. According to him, the term fundamentalism with regards to politics is used to describe the political movement in which there is the use of religion, its symbols, motives and scripture for political purpose. He repeatedly emphasized that the church should transcend any kind of fundamentalism and carry out its mission in politics through committed Christians in the filed of politics. Father George P.Shad a session on the topic “Children at risk.” He emphasized that we have to journey with the child and be a child activist.  He repeatedly articulated- involvement, accompaniment leadership and witness for the protection of the children.

Rev. Dr. Allen Palanna presented the paper on “Ecological problems and the vitality of Conservation”. He addressed that the vision of environmental justice is the development of a holistic community based, participatory and integrative paradigm for achieving healthy and sustainable communities for all people. Rev. Bharath Patta spoke on the topic “Subaltern Issues.” He made a comparative analysis of the Palestinian situation with Indian realities. He brought out the challenges that the subaltern communities are facing such as – displacement, grabbing of the land and Hindutva. He stated that the church should not be the silent spectator of injustice.

23^rd

In his third Bible study Bishop Duleep Chickera spoke on the topic, God’s mission- Change through children. He emphasized that we need to develop a child centered approach in mission and spirituality. The presence of a child is like a sacrament. On the topic on migration and Displaced people, Dr. Rini Ralte presented the socio economic realities which foster the process of migration and how to deal with the issues of the migrants.

On the topic of the Gender Justice: Marginal Position of women and Transgender Issues, Dr.(Sr).Pushpa Joseph emphasized on the Church’s response of – Creating an awareness through the interpretation of scriptures, Inclusiveness in fellowship, and respecting individuality of others.

The Discussion dealt with the paper prepared by Dr. K. C. Abraham, entitled, A Renewed Call For Prophetic Ecumenism. The paper pointed out some concrete expressions of prophetic ecumenism such as solidarity with the struggles of the marginalized for justice, embracement of the so called “the other”. And there is a necessity to re-examineour churches and its life. He also addressed about the ecological crisis and the uncontrollable power that human exerts on nature and each other.

25^th

Each of the participants had the privilege to visit and attend the worship in the various local churches- Bethel Marthoma Church at Krishnarajapuram, Radiance House Church, Methodist Church, Orthodox Church, and CSI Church, which gave us an exposure to a new way of worship.

26^th

In order to build our ecumenism strong and have a wider perspective, the organizers had arranged for visit to the different selected religious centers – Ramkrishna Math, MahabodhiLoka Shanti Buddha Vihar and also to aGurudwara.

27^th

All the participants shared their experiences and expressed their views. In the afternoon session Dr. Roger Gaekwad, General Secretary of NCCI, presented a paper on Contribution of NCCI: towards Ecumenism in India. According to him, “Ecumenism is a kind of spirit that enables us to relate to all kinds of God’s creation.” The paper dealt with the historical movement of ecumenism in India and also with explanations of various programs of NCCI.

28^th

The day began with a bible study from the feminist perspective led by Dr. Evangeline Rajkumar based on the story of Rizpah from 2 Samuel 21:1-14. She pointed out that violence perpetuates throughout the history, therefore we need to develop a power of resistance. And thereafter we had two panel discussions based on the theme- “Witness of Reconciling Mission in India” led by a panel of eminent theologians- Rev. Dr. David Selvaraj, Rev. Dr. M. Larbeer and Rt. Rev. Lawrence. The second panel discussion were led by Pastors from different areas, Rev. Lee Hee Woon, Rev. Vincent Rajkumar and Rev. John Wesley, who shared their ministerial experiences and the struggles they faced in the Indian context. The afternoon session was led by Bishop Duleep Chickera, a session on Conflict resolution from a Biblical perspective. He mentioned the five types of conflicts-conflict within oneself, conflict within two individuals, conflict within a group, conflict between two groups and conflict between human and nature. And also mentioned how to resolve them by citing different texts from the Bible.

We a group of 32 participants representing member churches of Christian Conference of Asia from four countries in Asia gathered together at Ecumenical Christian Centre in Bangalore, India, held from 19^th Nov to 1^st Dec, 2012 for an Institute on Ecumenism on the theme “Participating in God’s Holistic Mission of Reconciling the whole world.” This Institute was jointly organized by Christian Conference of Asia, National Council of Churches in India, and Indian School of Ecumenical Theology of the Ecumenical Christian Centre Whitefield, Bangalore.

We the participants of Ecumenism recognizing our call to work together to foster ecumenism,

Affirm:

Realize

Praxis

For the Institute participants,